Conveyor-trailer for transporting an agricultural commodity

ABSTRACT

A conveyor-trailer for transporting cotton, which is mounted on a long-bed truck trailer. The conveyor-trailer is pivotally mounted on the bed of the truck trailer and hydraulic means moves the conveyor-trailer between a horizontal position and a position inclined upwardly toward the forward end of the truck trailer. Mounted on the conveyor-trailer is a servo mechanism which engages automatically a wheel on the truck trailer when the conveyor-trailer is in the inclined position and disengages automatically the wheel on the truck trailer when the conveyor is in the horizontal position. An hydraulic drive motor is connected to the conveyor of the conveyor-trailer to impart movement thereto under the control of the servo mechanism. When the servo mechanism is spaced from the wheel of the truck trailer, the conveyor of the conveyor-trailer is idle. When the servo mechanism engages the wheel of the truck trailer, the conveyor of the conveyor-trailer is driven by the hydraulic drive motor at a speed commensurate with and synchronous with the rotation of the wheel of the truck trailer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to trailers for haulingagricultural products and more particularly to a conveyor-trailer forloading, transporting and unloading cotton.

In the patent to Schiltz U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,550, issued on Jan. 17,1967, for a Haystack Transporting Device, there is disclosed a trailerfor loading, transporting and unloading haystacks. The trailer comprisesa conveyor that is movable between a horizontal position fortransporting haystacks and an inclined position for loading andunloading haystacks onto or from the trailer. For advancing the conveyorwhile it is in an inclined position, an auxiliary transmission is drivenby a truck transmission. A power take-off mechanism from the auxiliarytransmission drives another transmission mechanism. The othertransmission mechanism drives the conveyor so that the speed of travelof the conveyor is commensurate with the speed of travel of the truck.The employment of a power take-off system for driving the conveyor ismore cumbersome, increases the cost of the machine, and reduces theefficiency of the machine. Another patent of interest is the patent toSchiltz U.S. Pat. No. 3,209,932.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A conveyor-trailer for transporting cotton or other goods andcommodities which is adapted for mounting on a bed of a truck trailer orthe like. The conveyor-trailer is movable between a horizontal positionfor transporting a commodity, such as cotton, and a position inclinedtoward the forward end of a truck trailer or the like. While theconveyor-trailer is in the inclined position, a commodity, such ascotton, is either loaded on or unloaded from the conveyor-trailer. Aservo mechanism is mounted on the conveyor-trailer for movementtherewith and engages a wheel of the truck trailer or the like while theconveyor-trailer is in the inclined position and disengages the wheel ofthe truck trailer or the like while the conveyor is in the horizontalposition. A drive mechanism imparts movement to the conveyor under thecontrol of the servo mechanism, whereby the conveyor is idle while theconveyor-trailer is disposed in the horizontal position and the conveyoris driven at a speed commensurate with the speed of rotation of thedrive wheel of the truck trailer while the conveyor-trailer is in theinclined position.

By virtue of this arrangement, the need for an expensive power take-offarrangement has been obviated. Thus, power efficiency has beenincreased, while costs have been reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the conveyor-trailer embodying the presentinvention mounted on a flatbed of a truck trailer.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the conveyor-trailer shown in FIG. 1mounted on the flatbed of the truck trailer.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of an hydraulic conveyordrive mechanism for the conveyor of the conveyor-trailer shown in FIGS.1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along line 4--4 ofFIG. 3 to illustrate the hydraulic conveyor drive mechanism for theconveyor of the conveyor-trailer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with thelongitudinal frame support housing shown partially in section andpartially in elevation.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation view taken along line 5--5of FIG. 1 to illustrate an hydraulic servo mechanism mounted on theconveyor-trailer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and an engageable truck trailerwheel.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the mounting arrangementand rollers for the rearward end of the conveyor for theconveyor-trailer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along line 7--7 ofFIG. 6 to illustrate the mounting arrangement, tension adjustmentarrangement and rollers for the rearward end of the conveyor of theconveyor-trailer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the longitudinal framesupport housing broken away.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 4 toillustrate the longitudinal frame support housing employed for theconveyor of the conveyor-trailer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged elevation view of the hydraulic servo mechanismshown in FIG. 5 taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a suitable truck bed 11 for haulingagricultural commodities, such as cotton or the like. The truck bed 11may be in the form of a trailer or integral with the cab of a truck, notshown. As is well-known, the truck bed 11 is supported by suitable setsof wheels 12 and 13. In the exemplary embodiment, there are four wheelsin each set of wheels 12 and 13, and each set of wheels 12 and 13 ismounted on a common axle, respectively. The wheels are rotated in aconventional manner either as trailer wheels or by a direct drive, notshown, from the engine of a truck, not shown.

The elongated bed 11, when a trailer, is detachably mounted to the cabof a truck, not shown, through a suitable hitch 20. Retractable legs 21support the forward end of the bed 11 when the hitch 20 is detached fromthe cab and the bed 11 is in the form of a trailer. Mounted on the bed11 for pivotal movement about a suitable pivot shaft 25 (FIGS. 2 and 5)between a horizontal position and a position inclined toward the forwardend thereof is a conveyor-trailer 30. The hitch or cab end is consideredherein toward the forward end. The conveyor-trailer 30 comprises asuitable support frame 31 (FIGS. 1 and 2) having side rails 35 which arejoined by transverse cross rail 33.

When the conveyor-trailer 30 is in the horizontal position as shown bysolid line in FIGS. 2 and 5, the conveyor-trailer is in the cottontransporting condition. When the conveyor-trailer 30 is in the positioninclined toward the forward end of the truck trailer bed 11, as shown byinterrupted lines or dash lines in FIGS. 2 and 5, the conveyor-trailer30 is either loading cotton or unloading cotton.

For moving the conveyor-trailer 30 between the horizontal position andthe inclined position about the pivot shaft 25, an hydraulic liftingmechanism 45 is provided (FIG. 2). The hydraulic lifting mechanism 45comprises a suitable hydraulic cylinder 46 having a piston rod 47projecting therefrom. The piston rod 47 is pivotally connected to theframe 31 of the conveyor-trailer 30 and the cylinder 46 is pivotallyconnected to the trailer bed 11 through a suitable depending ear. Thisarrangement will move the conveyor-trailer 30 between a horizontalposition and the inclined position by the application of fluid underpressure into the cylinders 46 in a well-known and conventional mannerfrom a source 52 of fluid under pressure. The source of fluid pressure52 is mounted on the forward end of the conveyor-trailer 30. A suitablehydraulic power supply serves as the source of fluid under pressure. Asuitable hose 53 interconnects an output of the source 52 with thehydraulic cylinder 46.

For loading and unloading commodities, such as cotton, theconveyor-trailer 30 comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending,transversely spaced endless conveyor chains 55 (FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6-8).Each of the conveyor chains 55 is mounted in a respective support member35 for rotation and defines an upper flight 56 and a lower flight 57.The forward end of each of the endless conveyor chains 55 is trainedaround a sprocket 58 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4). The sprockets 58 are fixed to atransversely disposed drive shaft 59 for rotation therewith. The driveshaft 59 is journalled on the forward ends of the support members 35,respectively, for rotation through suitable bearing blocks 60 fixed tothe frame 31. Thus, the drive shaft 59 and the sprockets 58 are fixed tothe frame 31 for movement therewith.

The rear ends of each of the endless chains 55 are trained between chainguides 70 (FIG. 7). Axially aligned, transversely spaced shafts 67 arecarried by the support members 35, respectively, and are adjustablypositioned therealong in the generally longitudinal direction. Live orfreely rotatable transversely aligned rollers 64 are journalled forrotation on the shafts 67. The opposite ends of the shafts 67 (FIG. 7)project through aligned openings in the side walls of the support member35 and are carried by adjustment bolts 68 in projecting ears 67 on theside walls of the support members 35. With this arrangement, theconveyor chains 55 may be adjusted to the desired degree of tension byadjusting the nuts 69 on the bolts 68.

The upper flights 56 of the conveyor chains 55 are disposed for movementwithin and past the chain guides 70 (FIG. 8), which are integral withthe upper walls of the support members 35. The lower return flights 57of the conveyor chains 55 are disposed within the hollow interiors ofthe support members 35, respectively. The conveyor chains 55 are spacedby the double pitch, oversize rollers 64. The rollers 64 arelongitudinally spaced along its associated chains 55 and are axiallyaligned with rollers 64 of adjacent rows. The conveyor chains 55 areprovided with outwardly extending, longitudinally spaced flightattachments 71 for gripping and lifting cotton to be loaded on theconveyor chains 55.

When the conveyor-trailer 30 is in the inclined position, the rear endsof the support members 35 are disposed in close proximity to the ground.When the conveyor-trailer 30 is backed toward or into cotton to beloaded, the end portions of the support members 35 (FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7)serve to move under the cotton to be loaded. For aiding the rear end ofthe support members 35 in moving under the cotton to be loaded and toreduce damage to the rear end of the support members 35, rollers 75 arefixed to the lower wall of the support members 35, respectively, nearthe rear ends thereof.

According to the present invention, the conveyor chains 55 are driven bysuitable drive means 80 (FIGS. 1-4). In the exemplary embodiment, thedrive means 80, which are supported by the frame 31 of theconveyor-trailer 30, comprise hydraulic drive motors 81 that are fixedto a support housing 35. Suitable fluid under pressure is supplied tothe hydraulic drive motors 81 from the source 52 of fluid under pressurethrough suitable hoses or couplings 82, which are of sufficient lengthto accommodate the movement of the frame 31 relative to the bed 11.Drive shafts 83 are rotated by the hydraulic drive motors 81 and arejournalled for rotation by the support housing 35 through suitabledepending brackets.

Fixed to the drive shafts 83 for rotation therewith are drive sprockets84 around which are trained drive chains 85. The drive chains 85 aretrained around driven sprockets 86 for imparting rotation thereto. Thedriven sprockets 86 are journalled for rotation by the support housings35. The driven sprockets 86 are fixed to the shaft 59 to impart rotationthereto. Fixed to the shaft 59 for rotation therewith are chain drivesprockets 58. The rotation of the shaft 59 imparts rotation to thesprockets 58 for driving the endless conveyor chains 55.

The operation of the hydraulic drive motor 81 is controlled by asuitable servo mechanism, such as an hydraulic servo mechanism 95 (FIGS.1 and 5). It is within the contemplation of the present invention toemploy a mechanically powered servo motor. The hydraulic servo mechanism95 is mounted on the frame 31 of the conveyor-trailer 30 through asupport bracket 91 for movement therewith and communicates with thehydraulic drive motor 81 through a hose or coupling 96. Fluid underpressure is supplied to the hydraulic servo mechanism 95 through asuitable hose or coupling 97 from the source 52 of fluid under pressure.The coupling 97 is of sufficient length to accommodate the movement ofthe frame 31 relative to the trailer bed 11.

The hydraulic servo mechanism 95 is movable with the frame 31 of theconveyor-trailer 30 and controls the operation of the hydraulic drivemotor 81 through the coupling 96. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, thehydraulic servo mechanism 95 includes a shaft 100 that is journalled forrotation by the bracket 91. Fixed to the shaft 100 for impartingrotation thereto is a wheel 101. When the conveyor-trailer 30 is in thehorizontal position (FIGS. 2 and 5), the wheel 101 of the hydraulicservo mechanism 95 is spaced automatically from the wheel 13 of thetrailer bed 11 and is, therefore, disengaged therefrom as shown bydotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 5. Thus, the shaft 100 does not rotate andthe hydraulic servo mechanism 95 causes the hydraulic drive motor 81 toidle the conveyor drive chains 55.

When the conveyor-trailer 30 is in the inclined position (FIGS. 2 and5), the wheel 101 of the hydraulic servo mechanism 95 automaticallyengages the wheel 13, as shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 5) torotate the shaft 100 of the hydraulic servo mechanism 95. The rotationof the shaft 100 by the engagement between the wheel 13 and the wheel101 causes the hydraulic servo mechanism 95 to control the operation ofthe hydraulic drive motor 81 so that the speed or rate of movement ofthe conveyor drive chains 55 is commensurate with and is synchronouswith the rotation of the wheel 13 of the trailer bed 11 or the groundspeed of the trailer bed 11.

When the conveyor chains 55 advance the upper flight 56 thereof in thedirection of an arrow 110 (FIG. 1) or the forward end of theconveyor-trailer 30, commodities, such as cotton, are loaded onto theconveyor-trailer 30. When the conveyor chains 55 advance the upperflight 56 thereof in the direction of an arrow 111 (FIG. 1) or towardthe rearward end of the conveyor-trailer 31, commodities, such ascotton, are unloaded from the conveyor-trailer 30. The speed of chainmovement during the loading and unloading of commodities is regulated bythe hydraulic servo mechanism 95 so that the distance traveled by theupper flights of the conveyor chains 55 in the inclined position iscomparable to the distance traveled by the trailer bed 11 during loadingand unloading of the commodities on the conveyor-trailer 30. When theconveyor-trailer 30 is in the horizontal position, the commodities, suchas cotton, are being transported by the conveyor-trailer 30 and thetrailer bed 11.

The reversing of the direction of travel of the conveyor chains 55 isaccomplished merely by reversing the direction of travel of the truckwhich, in turn, reverses the direction of rotation of the wheels 13.This action reverses the direction of rotation of the servo wheel 101 ofthe servo mechanism 95. The servo mechanism 95 controls both the rateand direction of the fluid flow.

We claim:
 1. Means for transporting agricultural commoditiescomprising:(a) a first frame; (b) a wheel for supporting said firstframe for movement along a surface; (c) a conveyor frame supported bysaid first frame for pivotal movement; (d) means interconnecting saidfirst frame and said conveyor frame for moving said conveyor framebetween a horizontal position and an inclined position; (e) conveyormeans carried by said conveyor frame for movement therewith andjournalled by said conveyor frame for advancement relative to saidconveyor frame; (f) independent power drive means for said conveyormeans supported by said conveyor frame for movement therewith andconnected to said conveyor means for advancing said conveyor meansrelative to said conveyor frame; and (g) a servo mechanism mounted onsaid conveyor frame for movement therewith and coupled to saidindependent power drive means for controlling the speed at which theindependent drive means operates said conveyor means, said servomechanism including a servo roller spaced from said wheel when saidconveyor frame is in the horizontal position and disposed in engagementwith said wheel to be rotated thereby when said conveyor frame is in theinclined position, said servo mechanism being responsive to the rotationof said servo roller for controlling the speed of operation of saidindependent power drive means to idle said conveyor means when saidservo roller is spaced from said first wheel and to advance saidconveyor means at a rate commensurate with and synchronous with therotation of said wheel when said servo roller engages said wheel. 2.Means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said servo roller is disposed in andout of engagement with said wheel in response to said means moving saidconveyor frame between the horizontal and inclined positions.
 3. Meansas claimed in claim 2 wherein said independent power drive meansincludes an hydraulic drive motor and said servo mechanism is in theform of an hydraulic servo mechanism.
 4. .[.A vehicle.]. .Iadd.Means.Iaddend.as claimed in claim 3 wherein said conveyor means includes aplurality of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced endless drivechains.
 5. .[.A vehicle.]. .Iadd.Means .Iaddend.as claimed in claim 4wherein the rear end of said conveyor frame approaches ground level whensaid conveyor frame is in the inclined position and comprising aplurality of ground engaging means mounted on said conveyor frame intransversely spaced relation below the rear end of said conveyor chainsrespectively.
 6. .[.A vehicle.]. .Iadd.Means .Iaddend.as claimed inclaim 5 wherein each of said conveyor chains includes an upper flightand a lower flight, and wherein said conveyor frame comprises aplurality of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced, hollowsupport members for supporting said conveyor chains respectively, eachof said support members being arranged to guide the associated upperflight within and around an open channel and to guide the associatedlower flight within an enclosed channel.
 7. .[.A vehicle.]. .Iadd.Means.Iaddend.as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means interconnecting saidfirst frame and said conveyor frame comprises an hydraulic cylinderfixed to said first frame with a piston projecting from said hydrauliccylinder and linkage connected to said conveyor frame actuated by themovement of said piston for moving said conveyor frame between thehorizontal position and the inclined position. .Iadd.
 8. Means fortransporting agricultural commodities comprising:(a) a first frame; (b)means for supporting said frame for movement along a surface; (c) aconveyor frame supported by said first frame for pivotal movement; (d)means interconnecting said first frame and said conveyor frame formoving said conveyor frame between a horizontal position and an inclinedposition; (e) conveyor means carried by said conveyor frame for movementtherewith and journalled by said conveyor frame for advancement relativeto said conveyor frame; (f) independent power drive means for saidconveyor means supported by said conveyor frame for movement therewithand connected to said conveyor means for advancing said conveyor meansrelative to said conveyor frame; (g) a servo mechanism mounted on saidconveyor frame for movement therewith and coupled to said independentpower drive means for controlling the speed at which said independentpower drive means operates said conveyor means, said servo mechanismincluding means having a rotatable member idled when said conveyor frameis in the horizontal position and rotated when said conveyor frame is inthe inclined position at a speed commensurate with the speed of movementof said first frame along the surface, said servo mechanism beingresponsive to the rotation of said rotatable member for controlling theoperation of said independent power drive means to idle said conveyormeans when said rotatable member is idle and to advance said conveyormeans at a rate related to the rotation of said rotatable member, whensaid rotatable member is rotated; and (h) means for rotating saidrotatable member at a speed commensurate with the speed of movement ofsaid first frame along the surface when said conveyor frame is in theinclined position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 9. Means as claimed in claim 8wherein said independent power drive means includes an hydraulic drivemotor and said servo mechanism is in the form of an hydraulic servomechanism. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 10. Means as claimed in claim 9 wherein saidconveyor means includes a plurality of longitudinally extending,transversely spaced endless drive chains. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 11. Means asclaimed in claim 10 wherein the rear end of said conveyor frameapproaches ground level when said conveyor frame is in the inclinedposition and comprising a plurality of ground engaging means mounted onsaid conveyor frame in transversely spaced relation below the rear endof said conveyor chains respectively. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 12. Means asclaimed in claim 11 wherein each of said conveyor chains includes anupper flight and a lower flight, and wherein said conveyor framecomprises a plurality of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced,hollow support members for supporting said conveyor chains respectively,each of said support members being arranged to guide the associatedupper flight within and around an open channel and to guide theassociated lower flight within an enclosed channel. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 13.Means as claimed in claim 11 wherein said means interconnecting saidfirst frame and said conveyor frame comprises an hydraulic cylinderfixed to said first frame with a piston projecting from said hydrauliccylinder and linkage connected to said conveyor frame actuated by themovement of said piston for moving said conveyor frame between thehorizontal position and the inclined position. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 14.Means as claimed in claim 8 wherein said independent drive meansincludes an hydraulic drive motor and said servo mechanism is in theform of an hydraulic servo mechanism. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 15. Means asclaimed in claim 9 wherein said conveyor means includes a plurality oflongitudinally extending, transversely spaced endless drive chains..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 16. Means as claimed in claim 10 wherein the rear endof said conveyor frame approaches ground level when said conveyor frameis in the inclined position and comprising a plurality of groundengaging means mounted on said conveyor frame in transversely spacedrelation below the rear end of said conveyor chains respectively..Iaddend..Iadd.
 17. Means as claimed in claim 11 wherein each of saidconveyor chains includes an upper flight and a lower flight, and whereinsaid conveyor frame comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending,transversely spaced, hollow support members for supporting said conveyorchains respectively, each of said support members being arranged toguide the associated upper flight within and around an open channel andto guide the associated lower flight within an enclosed channel..Iaddend..Iadd.
 18. Means as claimed in claim 11 wherein said meansinterconnecting said first frame and said conveyor frame comprises anhydraulic cylinder fixed to said first frame with a piston projectingfrom said hydraulic cylinder and linkage connected to said conveyorframe actuated by the movement of said piston for moving said conveyorframe between the horizontal position and the inclined position..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 19. Means for transporting modules comprising:(a) afirst frame; (b) means for supporting said first frame for movementalong a surface; (c) a conveyor frame supported by said first frame forpivotal movement; (d) means interconnecting said first frame and saidconveyor frame for moving said conveyor frame between a horizontalposition and an inclined position; (e) conveyor means carried by saidconveyor frame for movement therewith and journalled by said conveyorframe for advancement relative to said conveyor frame; (f) independentdrive means for said conveyor means supported by said conveyor frame formovement therewith and connected to said conveyor means for advancingsaid conveyor means relative to said conveyor frame; (g) a servomechanism mounted on said conveyor frame for movement therewith andcoupled to said independent drive means for controlling the speed atwhich said independent drive means operates said conveyor means, saidservo mechanism including means having a rotatable member idled whensaid conveyor frame is in the horizontal position and rotated when saidconveyor frame is in the inclined position at a speed commensurate withthe speed of movement of said first frame along the surface, said servomechanism being responsive to the rotation of said rotatable member forcontrolling the operation of said independent drive means to idle saidconveyor means when said rotatable member is idle and to advance saidconveyor means at a rate related to the rotation of said rotatablemember, when said rotatable member is rotated; and (h) means forrotating said rotatable member at a speed commensurate with the speed ofmovement of said first frame along the surface when said conveyor frameis in the inclined position. .Iaddend.